NFL Teams Are Bullish on Cornerbacks and Bearish on Running Backs

The Dallas Cowboys acquired the rights to a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, from the Indianapolis Colts for just a fifth-round pick, then traded two late-round picks for the much-traveled receiver Brandin Cooks, who did not fit the Houston Texans’ rebuilding plans. Technically, the Cowboys were inactive on the free-agent market, yet they added two quality starters.

The Texans acquired the rights to guard Shaq Mason from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are downsizing in the wake of Tom Brady’s latest and most credible retirement announcement. All the Buccaneers received in return for an eight-year starter with two Super Bowl rings was a reshuffling of late-round draft picks.

The Giants got into the act by trading a third-round pick for the rights to tight end Darren Waller, a 2020 Pro Bowl player with the Las Vegas Raiders, who do not appear to know whether they are contending or rebuilding right now.

Also of note: The Jets added safety Chuck Clark, formerly of the Ravens, in exchange for a mere seventh-round pick, illustrating that it’s possible for a team devoting most of its resources and bandwidth to acquiring/courting/appeasing Rodgers to make upgrades, just not very big ones.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/sports/football/nfl-free-agents.html